Interims Information and Link to Parent Letter regarding mClass

Trailblazers,

Quarter 1 Interims go home today with students on Tracks 1, 2 and 3 in Grades 1-5.  The interims are "new" and are generated from the same program used to create report cards in the last school year.   Kindergarten students will only receive the mClass Parent Letter not an Interim.  Please follow the link to learn more about the interim and mClass assessments.  Questions? Please email me at cgraf1@wcpss.net or call the school at 919-890-7333.

My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf

Kindergarten Student Parent Letter

Parent Letter for Students in Grades 1-5

Did you know....

Trailblazers,

Did you know we have a brand new PTA?  It's true! Our PTA is working in high gear to engage parents and support the learning and teaching environment at Banks Road Elementary.

Here are the PTA Officers for the 2014-2015 school year:

President:  Jackie Wenzel
VP Programs:  Sofiya Gouveia
VP Communications:  Angela Gregory
VP Ways and Means: Rebecca Campbell
Treasurer:  Claire DiBlasi
Secretary:  Allison Wood

Stay Connected:
jackiewenzel1220@gmaila.com (President)
PTA Main Account:  banksrdpta@gmail.com
Do you have Facebook? Join the PTA Facebook page.

Next Board Meeting is scheduled for September 5, 2014.  Next General PTA Meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2014.

Interested in learning more? Joining the PTA?  Contact Ms. Wenzel! 

Ident-i-kid Is Tomorrow for Track 4

This is to remind you that Ident-a-kid will be on campus tomorrow for Track 4 students.  If you have not yet returned the application form to your child's teacher, its' not too late to participate in the program.  Simply complete the form and return it with your child.  If you need a form, we have extra copies in the Front Office.

Questions? Please call the school at 919-890-7333.  Thank you, Mrs. Graf

School Messenger August 6, 2014

School Messenger

August 6, 2014

Trailblazers,

This is Mrs.  Graf with important information for our school community: 

This is a special school messenger specifically regarding carpool.  Trailblazers, I need your help to support an efficient and safe carpool process.  Yesterday’s carpool was no less than a hot mess! Track 4 is back and we have an increased number of Trailblazers utilizing carpool.  Additionally, we have two new pre K classes along with our two Track 4 Kindergarten classes. While we are tightening up our indoor carpool processes and routines, it would support us if you could do the following:

ü  If you are a Pre K parent or a Kindergarten parent we are asking that you position your car seats on the loading side of your car.  This will allow us to load your child in a timely manner into your vehicle.  I will be asking all parents who want to get out of their vehicles to pull into the designated parking spots for buckling.   This will allow the flow of carpool to continue.

ü  Work with you child to learn their carpool number.  Make it game or give a special treat if they can memorize and recognize their number being called.

ü  Additionally, all carpool parents, it is critical for the efficiency of carpool that you remain in your designated carpool lane.  If you switch lanes, it causes a misalignment of students in line at the wrong cones.  This slows down carpool. 

ü  And lastly, carpool should be a time when we have your undivided attention.  I understand the need to multitasking-we all have things to do, but I ask that once the line starts moving that cell phones and electronics not be used.  We have had a fender bender and several close calls of accidents.  I am requesting your support and would like you to honor this request. 

Questions about carpool? Please call the school or email me at cgraf1@wcpss.net. 

That’s it Trailblazers.  We are off to a wonderful start and I know that we can work together to make our carpool process efficient and safe!   

Always Trailblazer Proud, Mrs. Graf

Update regarding Spring EOG Scores

Trailblazers,

As of last Friday, all reports for state tests administered in Spring 2014 (EOG, EOC, NCEXTEND1, NCEXTEND2, etc.) have been mailed to parent/ guardian home addresses for traditional-calendar students, modified-calendar students, and year-round calendar (Track 1) students. Student score reports from year-round track 2, 3, and 4 are currently being mailed. 

Track 1 parents/ guardians who still have not received score reports for their students to contact either the school where the student tested, or the school where the student is currently enrolled (even if in a different district or state) and fill out the attached form.  Instructions for both parents and schools are on the form attached to this email. The form is also available for download here. 

Please let me know if you need assistance in getting your child's scores from the Spring EOG testing session.  Thank you, Mrs. Graf 

21st Century Learning Program Information

Trailblazer Parents,

We will once again partner with the Kraft YMCA to bring the 21st Century Learning Program to BRES.  The program is open to all students K-5.  Students will have the opportunity to work on homework, receive direct instruction in reading and math, and practice skills for the assigned grade level.  Additionally, students will participate in the Y curriculum.

The program is held at BRES after-school from 4:00 until 6:00.  There is the opportunity for transportation depending on location/node.  Enrollment is open, but space is limited.  This is a FREE program.

Interested in learning more? Two parent information sessions are scheduled for next week, Thursday July 31st at 8:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  Both sessions will be held in the Media Center.

As always please let me know if you have any questions.

My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf

School Messenger July 23, 2014

School Messenger July 23, 2014 Trailblazers,
This is Mrs. Graf with important information for our school community:
This week our students fell seamlessly into routines and did an outstanding job of demonstrating their Banks Best each day. I want to give a “hats off” to our 3rd graders on Tracks 1, 2, and 3 who took the BOG on Wednesday. Scores will be reported back to schools on Monday tentatively. Parent letters will go out on Monday afternoon. Information about Read to Achieve will be coming home shortly with our 3rd grade students.

Tomorrow is Picture Day for students on Tracks 1 & 3.  Bring your smiles and wear your Sunday best.  All students will be photographed for the school year book.  All Fall pictures are prepaid.  Parents can choose to send back the picture envelope with payment or pay online at www.strawbridge.net.  You will need to enter our school code 1609.  

Welcome back Track 4! Your first day of school for students on track 4 in first grade through fifth grade will be on Monday, July 28th. Kindergarteners on track 4 will only attend school on their assigned staggered entry date. The Kindergarten Meet the Teacher is scheduled for Friday, August 1st from 4-5:30 p.m. At the Kindergarten Meet the Teacher you will be able to meet your classroom teacher, join our PTA and purchase spirit wear items. Additionally, you can sign up for a carpool tag and learn more about our YMCA before care and after care programs.

Looking ahead to next week:

July 29: Join us at 5:15 p.m. for our Back to School Blast sponsored by our PTA. Family fun and games will include hula hoops, jump ropes and water squirters! Pelican’s Sno Balls and Raleigh K-9 will be on site as well to provide a cool treat and keep us entertained. You do not have to be a PTA member to join in the fun! Our General PTA Meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the 2014-2015 events planned to support BRES and vote on the budget. I hope to see everyone join in the fun at our Back to School Blast!

Looking into August...please mark your calendars for the following:
August 4: First Full Day of Kindergarten for K students on Track 4
August 4-8: Read to Achieve Camp for select students
August 7: Ident-i-Kid Program on site for students on Track 4
August 13: Beginning of Grade Assessment for 3rd Grade Track 4 students
August 14: Open House T1/T3 from 5:45-6:30; T2/T4 7:00-7:45; 6:00-6:30 3rd Grade Parent Meeting (AIG) August 14: Fall Pictures for students on tracks 2 & 4
August 18- 22: Read to Achieve Camp for select 3rd grade students August 25-29: Read to Achieve Camp for select 3rd grade students

Trailblazer Parents and Families, We are reaching out to you in multiple formats. It is one of our goals to be informative and to engage you, our school stakeholders in our school. We are using the Principal’s Desk blog, which you can access from our main school website page, Twitter for bus arrival/departure and information, as well as the Banks Road ES Twitter account where I share photos of the learning and teaching process, links to articles and reminders about upcoming events. Additionally, we are looking for other ways to communicate with you. If you have ideas about how you want to see this, please email me at cgraf1@wcpss.net.

That’s it Trailblazers. We are off to a wonderful start and I know that will continue to learn and grow as we travel down the path to success. Always Trailblazer Proud, Mrs. Graf